Profile
Andy Bond
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North Island ▷ Auckland Region ▷ Auckland ▷
At Beach Road, Otahuhu
Our final night in NZ.
Good location to stay for either first or last night in NZ or for a visit to Auckland.
Yes it is in an industrial place but its secure and easy access to the airport or trains to Auckland. Owner had a good contact for taxi to the airport.
Fill up with water, no toilet dump or waste. A basic stop over.
Ideal location for us on our last night to clean out the motorhome ready for the new owners.
Only us on site.
$15 so cheap overnight parking in Auckland with no worries.
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North Island ▷ Manawatu - Wanganui ▷ Woodville ▷
Woodville Ferry Reserve
Big open camping area very quiet and so much room you can park in your own private area.
One of the best advertised free camping areas.
Access to the river.
Only downside was dog pooh in a couple of places.
9/10 only because of dog pooh.
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South Island ▷ Marlborough ▷ Picton / Marlborough Sounds ▷
Aussie Bay Campsite
Used this site 2 years ago.
We were surprised how quiet the place was and managed to get a nice pitch looking out into the bay.
Great to launch sea kayaks and paddle up the Sound.
Chemical toilet was being emptied as we arrived. Not tried it as we are fully self contained overall site seemed clean.
$8 per person per night meant we had to talk to other campers to get change.
There is a path joining this to the next bay so easy walking.
Pleasant site at 7pm just hope there is not an influx of vehicles from the late night Picton ferry.
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South Island ▷ Nelson Region ▷ Nelson ▷
Maitai Valley Motor Camp
We have used this site a few times now and this trip we have used the site in early December when it was very quiet and then 2nd Dec when very busy.
Staff are great at the site with security wandering around during busy periods.
Cheap laundry.
Powered and none powered sites available.
Some full time residents on site.
For mountain bikers there are a variety of routes available from easy gravel tracks to black runs.
Stream close by which seemed popular.
Much as we stay away from big sites this one was very open friendly and no noise.
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South Island ▷ Mount Cook - MacKenzie ▷ Omarama ▷
Ahuriri Bridge Campsite
Large area with water and toilets, being self contained we did not need to use these toilets.
Nice open space by a lovely river but noise in morning from the road. Mainly car 'self contained' vehicles and a few tents which did not look fun in the rain last night. Not our normal type of place it was just easy as we had decided to head back to Lindis pass to walk Old Man Peak range as the weather is better today.
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South Island ▷ Central Otago ▷ Alexandra ▷
Omakau Recreation Reserve and Camping Ground
Overnight parking by a river on solid ground with plenty of bird sounds, it is Just over the river bridge from the village so easy to wander into the village in an evening.
No one else here so ideal spot as off the tourist track. No facilities.
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South Island ▷ Mount Cook - MacKenzie ▷ Twizel ▷
Lake Ruataniwha Reserve
Wow what a great location a few motorhomes here but all easily 300m apart so its like your own private wilderness with amazing views.
Hopefully the stars will be an amazing sight later.
We have not seen any amenities as already emptied tanks and filled water before we arrived.
This is freedom camping at one of its best. And the star show was really good even with half moon.
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North Island ▷ Northland ▷ Dargaville ▷
Pahi Beach Motor Camp
We don't often use campsites as fully self contained but this site looked a good position to sea kayak from, and I also wanted to fit a solar panel to my motorhome.
At $15 per person per night it was cheap enough especially with electric hook up, water tap near pitch and excellent toilet shower (token) facilities and a common room with fridge freezer, cooker, microwave, seating, wifi (pay) books to swap, TV etc really well set up. Site was a really good find especially if travelling in one of the smaller self contained vehicles.
Booking in was easy, site was quiet (4th Dec) amazing stars at night and so quiet, shame about the rain in the morning oh and the tractor digging a trench at 8am (its site services being laid in next few days so wont be a problem)
Overall great site, next to the sea with launching area and very quiet. There are permanent caravans so maybe it will be busier in holiday time.
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North Island ▷ Northland ▷ Kaeo ▷
Totara North, old dump site
We used this place 2 years ago and have revisited this time after sea kayaking at Tauranga bay.
Very quiet location no facilities and next to the village recycle point.
Noticed sign for pub food so went 2km into main area but pub was just shutting (6pm Sunday).
Entry to field very wet so bigger motorhomes may struggle.
Nice big area so very private and only 20 mins to the beach
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North Island ▷ Waikato ▷ Cambridge ▷
Horahora Domain
28/11/18 Great stop over location, plenty of room.
Waterskiing location, also good launching place for kayaking down to the glowworm stream, and for Hobbit fans Hobbiton is close by.
Toilets, we did not find drinking water or toilet emptying but thats ok. Also take your litter home.
06/12/18 We just had to come back to this location after been told about a great kayak paddle at night. From the site turn right and paddle down the lake for about 30 mins and on the other side of the lake marked by a buoy is a stream, paddle up the stream and when dark marvel at the glow worms all along the riverbank. For those without kayaks there is a local company offering tours.
Again a quiet evening on the site, couple of locals entertaining us water skiing
Toilets on site but no fresh water or waste collection
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North Island ▷ Coromandel ▷ Whitianga ▷
Beachfront Reserves, Cooks Beach
Visited this place 2 years ago in the main holiday season and it was busy but not as cramped as tonight with 13 vans.
Great location but with such a small area its too busy and not my idea of freedom camping. Last time we met two great NZ couples who we are still in contact. but tonight there are too many vans here and I'm not sure how some of the cars are self contained. Trouble is this will have a negative effect on freedom camping. Overall great location but too cramped and well used.
Problem is its near Cathedral Cove, maybe if there were a few more sites it would take pressure off this location.
6/10 due to overcrowding.
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North Island ▷ Hawkes Bay ▷ Te Awanga ▷
Clifton Road Reserve
Great place next to the sea, a number of motorhomes here tonight with plenty of space between us all.
First wild camp stop this 2018/19 trip
Parking is pebbles or gravel which is fine as no chance of getting stuck on wet grass.
Noisy waves really adds to the wild location certainly our sort of camp area. The ones nearer Napier were busy and next to road and railway.
Not a place to sea kayak from as big dumping waves.
10/12/18 Back again in really nice weather oh sooo much nicer than our stay a few weeks ago it was busy but plenty of space especially at the northern end.
Great views amazing stars last night its not until you get to places like this you really appreciate just how full of stars the sky really is. Toilets clean drinking water via a drinking fountain so don't expect to fill up your van. Great view to Kidnappers cove which we had sea kayaked yesterday.
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North Island ▷ Auckland Region ▷ Auckland ▷
Avondale Motor Park
So our final campsite in Auckland.
Avondale Campsite is certainly a starting of adventures or end point, they are used to motorhomes coming in being cleaned and tidied or being packed for the adventure.
Toilets, showers, cooking area, it's all here and the local Pak n Save only 10 mins walk from the site.
Taxi just under $40 to the airport.
It's a starting and stopping point and for that I will give it 10/10.
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North Island ▷ Coromandel ▷ Whitianga ▷
Earl Adams Paradise Camp
Friendly location, Earl the owner will look after you.
It rained last night and he allowed a German family to camp and cook inside a barn area on site at no extra cost. Great views across the bay, its' a basic site but great price, what more do you need other than friendly no nonsense place. Steep concrete drive in but plenty of flat areas to camp and park. BBQ area available seating indoors and outdoors.
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North Island ▷ Coromandel ▷ Whitianga ▷
Omara Boat Ramp Reserve
Great location, looks ideally placed for sea kayaking some of the rocky coast just north of here, easy to find just keep driving through new housing area.
Toilets, BBQ points (total fire ban at the moment). Ideal for boat launching and sea kayaking.
View of the sea and mountains.
Luckily we got here at 5pm and took the last spot, though I'm sure with 20m x 10m area vans could go in the front of parked vans.
Company of other freedom campers was amazing, this really is what it is all about, switch off the TV and sit outside chatting to new people, no matter what their language.
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North Island ▷ Northland ▷ Kaitaia ▷
Lake Waiparera
Nice quiet place by the lake.
Toilet is a long drop.
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North Island ▷ Northland ▷ Russell ▷
Russell-Orongo Bay Holiday Park
The name 'holiday park' at first put us off but after reading the reviews decided to try it as freedom camping in the area is not easy.
Well what an amazing site, quiet and relaxed, well OK apart from bird noise. Great site, nice pitches when we stayed it was just after the bank holiday and the place was empty. Great location ideal for sea kayaking, Russell has a bar with live music.
Thank you for the great feedback Andy. We're glad that you enjoyed the quiet and restorative setting and hope you left us feeling rested and revived. Over 55 species of birds make the Park their home and we agree the Park can come alive with their calls! It's great to see that you made the most of your time here, we are a great base for exploring all that is on offer in the Bay of Islands. Kind Regards, The Team at Russell- Orongo Bay Holiday Park
Tori Burns
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North Island ▷ Coromandel ▷ Whangamata ▷
Onemana Beach Reserves
Amazing spot, so nice walking on the beach then sitting out when dark listening to the sea.
Cold water shower available. Toilets nearby. Spaces are tight between the freedom camping poles certainly no good if one van goes over into another area. But then there is no sign saying park in a line so I presumed area was the grass also in front of the poles. Would have been nice to chat to other travellers but the Dutch and New Zealanders sat in vans watching TV seems such a waste on such an amazing spot. Going to enjoy going sea kayaking from here today.
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North Island ▷ Rotorua Region ▷ Waiotapu ▷
Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland
I don't tend to do much tourist bits as I hate being herded around but I did enjoy this place.
3 routes to walk, all well signed and linked, just follow the coloured arrows around. We enjoyed the whole place and I would recommend doing it all, oh yes, there are ups and downs so do not expect flat walking. Fascinating seeing the earth's crust with various colours and smells as well as bubbling boiling water, take your time and see how powerful nature is. Often seen these places on TV but to get up close and hear and see is amazing. It was not over crowded so we could find ourselves on our own experiencing the wonders and going at our own pace.
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North Island ▷ Rotorua Region ▷ Tarawera ▷
Boyes Beach Reserve
$10 adult night honesty box please use it to keep these places open, it is easier for locals to close these places than keep them open.
Lakeside car park. Recycle bins (emptied about 9.30am). Toilets with water tap to connect hose pipe, it does say boil water for 3 mins, we never drink water from tank so ideal for filling and using as showers. Quiet site, level with spaces, also in the shade. 9 vans last night and still plenty of room. Bench seats by water side so great for evening meal seating. Good place for kayaking, boating, mountain biking or visit to Rotorua.
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North Island ▷ Taupo Region ▷ Taupo ▷
Five Mile Bay Recreation Reserve
Wow what a great site.
Busy but quiet, well apart form the waves crashing on the shore. Lots of motorhomes here. Great access to the water, ideal for us with sea kayaks.
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North Island ▷ Hawkes Bay ▷ Napier ▷
Perfume Point Carpark, Napier
About 10 other vans here.
Close to the sea, oh yes on three sides, quiet, plenty of restaurants near by and best of all for us is the Hawkes bay canoe club for going out with the club and canoeing and kayaking.
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North Island ▷ Hawkes Bay ▷ Havelock North ▷
Ocean 87
Lovely laid back site which is sheltered and close to the sea.
Individual camping and motorhome hedged areas. Electric hook up, two clean toilets and shower with washing up area and a BBQ also free washing machine. Wifi available. River next to the site beach short drive from the site. Good family run traditional quirky campsite (Don would not be out of place here).
Mountain biking on your doorstep and a friendly canoe club at Hawkes bay, we could be here a while.
Stayed again on 19 February, Yes its 45 minutes from Hawkes Bay but what a place, so relaxed.
Free washer with site fee, only $15 it's a place to restock, spend a few days, talk to the campsite wardens and characters on site. Accommodation also available.
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North Island ▷ Wairarapa ▷ Masterton ▷
Castlepoint Carpark
Great location, amazing view of the sea and lighthouse with direct access to the beach, nice windy walk to the lighthouse, also another walk along the coast.
Shop close by which also sells fish and chips. Motorhomes allowed 5pm to 9am with max of 4 days stay.
Great place for surfing, kayaking, boating
Spoke to a local guy and he was saying when he first lived here and started work he asked a guy if it was always this windy..... The reply was ' not always sometimes it even windier'
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North Island ▷ Wellington Region ▷ Porirua ▷
Ngāti Toa
Busy stop off point maybe 20 motorhomes including a few big coach motorhomes but then it was Saturday night and it is very convenient for ferry terminal.
Certainly one of the windiest overnight stops we have been to. Great for access to the water for boating kayaking etc. Bonus is the BP fuel station nearby which has toilet dumping, waste recycle, and water.
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South Island ▷ Nelson Region ▷ Motueka ▷
Koha Camping
Don, many thanks for letting us use your amazing campsite, met some great people on site, the sound of the river (even in flood) is relaxing though the wind which came through on the night we stayed did
keep us awake. Great pitches with water tap and picnic bench, composting toilet and fresh vegetables. If you want to meet interesting travellers then this is the place, if on the other hand you shut up your van and watch the TV then please go elsewhere. A traditional campsite run by a friendly guy. Just loved your parting words 'have a great life' oh yes we intend to by visiting such great places along our ever changing path.
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South Island ▷ Queenstown Region ▷ Kingston ▷
Fairlight Railway Station
We went down the track behind the old station as a lorry was parked there and it was very close to the river.
Also good parking in the trees in the picnic area. So good we stopped over twice and stayed in the area for about 4 days biking and walking.